St George First Nations Harmony Centre officially opens
The St George community celebrated the long-awaited Harmony Centre opening today, marking the occasion with a First Nations smoking ceremony and opening day festivities.
The Harmony Centre is a new cultural hub that will celebrate the region's First Nations peoples - the Kamilaroi, Gamilaraay, Gunggari, Mandandanji, Kooma, Bigambul and Euahlayi peoples - with funding from the Queensland and Australian governments, and in partnership with the South West Indigenous Corporation (SWIC).
SWIC will own and manage the Harmony Centre.
Located close to the Balonne River, the St George Harmony Centre offers cultural immersion opportunities, giving visitors an in-depth experience of the local Indigenous culture and language, while also providing employment opportunities for First Nations peoples.
The centre will include artefacts from the local cultures and a recording studio to preserve First Nations' languages, songs and stories that are part of a 60,000 year-old culture.
The Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water supported the South West Indigenous Corporation through construction of the centre, which was delivered by Newlands Commercial Construction.
The Australian Government provided $550,000 through the Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development Program to construct, fit out and purchase recording equipment for a studio at the centre. The Australian Government funding was provided to help communities in the Murray–Darling Basin diversify and strengthen their economies.
As stated by Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek:
"I loved my last visit to St George, and I was excited to see the plans for the Harmony Centre and meet Elders.
"The Albanese Government is continuing to support projects that create jobs and diversify the way we manage our precious water resources.
"The construction of the Harmony Centre and the recording studio will help local First Nations Peoples collect, preserve and share their Cultural heritage."
As stated by Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher:
"Its so good to see this important centre fully delivered. I've been out there to St George and seen the site as a block of grass, so I'm delighted to see it opened. Well done to all involved.
"Creating a hub like this offers the community not only an opportunity to learn about and embrace the local First Nations culture but it also acts as a tourism drawcard that helps the wider community gain a greater understanding of First Nations history, language and culture.
"Crucially, the Harmony Centre will also act as a time capsule, helping to preserve the language and culture for future generations."
As stated by South West Indigenous Corporation CEO, Mike Townsend:
"It has been quite a journey to reach this point and it's wonderful to see the Harmony Centre open and welcoming the community through the front doors. We know this is going to become a focal point for our community, a place where we can come together and celebrate our culture.
"We are pleased to be celebrating the new Harmony Centre today and I want to thank the Queensland and Australian governments for the funding and practical support offered during the design and construction phases.
"We are looking forward to sharing our culture and, also, developing the centre as an economic asset for our community."
As stated by Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation GCEO, Joe Morrison:
"Today is a day of celebration for the community. We are incredibly proud to witness the opening of the Harmony Centre. This centre will play a crucial role in preserving the rich culture of the region's First Nations peoples, ensuring their stories, languages, and traditions continue to thrive for generations.
"At the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, we proudly work in partnership with Australia's first peoples. By helping to bring this cultural hub to life, we honour the deep and enduring connection the local First Nations peoples have with their Country."
